​Will Smith to Shah Rukh Khan: Actors who made EPIC comebacks with box office blockbusters​

In the world of cinema, there are no guarantees when dealing with box office hits and misses. The same applies to actors associated with these films. While the changing tide washes away some stars, others make triumphant comebacks, which is a testament to their enduring appeal and talent. Actors from Will Smith to Shah Rukh Khan, Robert Downey Jr and others have managed to return to the limelight and reach the heights of box office success with films that not only resonate with audiences but also achieve blockbuster status. Take a look...

Will Smith marked his triumphant return to the big screen with 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die', the fourth instalment in the beloved action-comedy series. The actor, who was going through a tumultuous period following his infamous Oscars slap leading to a ban from the awards show, Smith's performance alongside Martin Lawrence fared better than expected at the global box office over the weekend, crossing the $100 million mark in just 3 days. The film opened to an impressive $56 million domestically and a global total of $104.6 million, exceeding industry expectations. This outstanding debut was a welcome departure from Smith's 2022 release 'Emancipation' which flopped at the box office.

Bollywood's King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, made a spectacular comeback with his film 'Pathaan' and followed it up with the back-to-back success of Director Atlee's 'Jawan'. The actor, who hit a slump at the box office with his films failing to perform, reemerged in 2023 after a 4-year hiatus with two, Rs 1000 crore blockbusters. The films' success made Khan the only actor in Bollywood to achieve this remarkable accomplishment. It also reaffirmed his superstar status and his unparalleled ability to draw audiences to theatres.

After leaving his iconic role as Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. faced the challenge of redefining his career. The dismissal box office performance of 'Dolittle' further raised eyebrows. However, his comeback with Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' was both unexpected and riveting. Portraying the complex character of Lewis Strauss, Downey delivered an Oscar-winning performance for Best Supporting Actor, his first-ever win. The film won both, critical and commercial acclaim, with a box office collection of $974 million.

Sunny Deol returned to the big screen with 'Gadar 2', the sequel to his 2001 blockbuster. Deol's return as his character, Tara Singh was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans, who had waited over two decades for the sequel. The film's success propelled Deol back into the big leagues after almost a decade of declining box office numbers. 'Gadar 2' went on to become the highest-grossing film of his career and the sixth highest-grossing Hindi film of all-time.

Brendan Fraser was among the most popular stars in the 90s with hits like 'Encino Man', 'George of the Jungle', and 'The Mummy' franchise to his name. However, by the mid-2000s, Fraser began to fade from the spotlight. It was only in 2023 that he made an epic comeback with the film 'The Whale' that won him a Best Actor Academy Award. With a global box office collection of $57 Million, it went on to become the highest-grossing Indie film of all time.